RV Refer Cooling Improvements - Part 1
This is an attempt to rectify a less than professional RV refer install by the manufacturer.
My RV temps were getting into the high 40s and 50s when ambient temps reached 100+F. After doing some research I found that the rear side of refers need to have the air enter from lower vent and then flow directly over the lower absorber coils and upper condenser. For this to happen, the space behind the refer must be 1" or less between RV side wall and coils/condenser. My space was about 6".
When the space exceeds 1", it is recommended to install baffles to divert air directly through the coils/condenser instead of the air simply rising and exiting through roof vent.
I first made a template of cardboard and adjusted for proper fitment. I then transferred template to 26 gauge sheet metal (roof flashing at Home Depot was already 2" x 6" and bent at nearly 90 degrees) and fabricated a baffle. This baffle, when installed, would force rising hot air to flow THROUGH condenser.
The difficult part for me was getting the baffle up into the rear of refer cavity so that it could be positioned at condenser, which is about 4' ABOVE bottom of refer. This had to be done from the entry vent as I did not want to remove refer from interior.
So, I used 1"x 2" pine in various lengths between 2'-4' until I could reach the condenser. The next step was to figure out how to attach the stick to the baffle and allow me to push it up and reach the condenser, position the baffle, and then press the baffle into position so the the double sided tape could adhere. This was a CHALLENGE!
I used Gorilla double side mounting tape and place two rows onto baffle. Baffle is a 2" mounting tab by 4" flap. Tape was placed on the 2" mounting tab.
Once in position, the stick was used to pressure the baffle into place and get the tape to stick. This took several attempts.
I had one area that had a gap of about 1/4". I did not like that tape was not adhering in this area. Apparently the area up near condenser was not completely flush and had a center section that had a slight rise. So, I decided to use some liquid nails glue and some round cotton pads. I taped a putty knife blade (removed handle), taped it to the stick, and pushed up cotton pads covered in glue. I stuffed them into the gap. I did this primarily to insure that baffle was adhered as best as possible to side wall.
Next step will be Part 2....Installation of two computer fans just above absorber coils.
Part 3 will be the installation of a lower baffle at bottom of absorber coil area.
Part 4 will be installation of interior refer condenser fan.
Finally I HOPE that my RV refer will keep my food and beverages COLD even in temps of 100F!!!
The lower refer intake vent. This is the access hole I had to work through!!!
Before baffle:
Baffle installed:
Gap filled:
Tools/Parts used:
My RV temps were getting into the high 40s and 50s when ambient temps reached 100+F. After doing some research I found that the rear side of refers need to have the air enter from lower vent and then flow directly over the lower absorber coils and upper condenser. For this to happen, the space behind the refer must be 1" or less between RV side wall and coils/condenser. My space was about 6".
When the space exceeds 1", it is recommended to install baffles to divert air directly through the coils/condenser instead of the air simply rising and exiting through roof vent.
I first made a template of cardboard and adjusted for proper fitment. I then transferred template to 26 gauge sheet metal (roof flashing at Home Depot was already 2" x 6" and bent at nearly 90 degrees) and fabricated a baffle. This baffle, when installed, would force rising hot air to flow THROUGH condenser.
The difficult part for me was getting the baffle up into the rear of refer cavity so that it could be positioned at condenser, which is about 4' ABOVE bottom of refer. This had to be done from the entry vent as I did not want to remove refer from interior.
So, I used 1"x 2" pine in various lengths between 2'-4' until I could reach the condenser. The next step was to figure out how to attach the stick to the baffle and allow me to push it up and reach the condenser, position the baffle, and then press the baffle into position so the the double sided tape could adhere. This was a CHALLENGE!
I used Gorilla double side mounting tape and place two rows onto baffle. Baffle is a 2" mounting tab by 4" flap. Tape was placed on the 2" mounting tab.
Once in position, the stick was used to pressure the baffle into place and get the tape to stick. This took several attempts.
I had one area that had a gap of about 1/4". I did not like that tape was not adhering in this area. Apparently the area up near condenser was not completely flush and had a center section that had a slight rise. So, I decided to use some liquid nails glue and some round cotton pads. I taped a putty knife blade (removed handle), taped it to the stick, and pushed up cotton pads covered in glue. I stuffed them into the gap. I did this primarily to insure that baffle was adhered as best as possible to side wall.
Next step will be Part 2....Installation of two computer fans just above absorber coils.
Part 3 will be the installation of a lower baffle at bottom of absorber coil area.
Part 4 will be installation of interior refer condenser fan.
Finally I HOPE that my RV refer will keep my food and beverages COLD even in temps of 100F!!!
The lower refer intake vent. This is the access hole I had to work through!!!
Before baffle:
Baffle installed:
Gap filled:
Tools/Parts used:
AcuRite 00986 on Amazon.
